PM: Health plan to cost US$6.1mn

Jamaica's new health plan is set to cost J$306mn (US$6.1mn) in its first year of operation with costs expected to rise in line with increased demand from pensioners, local daily The Jamaican Observer quoted prime minister P J Patterson as saying. According to Patterson, the initial annual budget for the healthcare program will benefit around 80,000 pensioners currently affiliated to the country's national insurance scheme (NIS) with the projected annual budget due to increase to meet the needs of the country's aging population. The number of Jamaicans currently over the age of 60 is forecast to increase from about 10% to 15% of the population by 2025, the paper said. The health plan is targeted to provide pensioners with a range of benefits, including hospitalization, diagnostics, surgery, dental and optical services, and doctor's visits while also covering the cost of certain prescription drugs, Patterson added..